Door-check.



Patented Oct. 29, I90I. E. I. BLOUNT. DOOR CHECK.

(Application'led Sept. 21, 1898.)

' 4 sheets-sheet l.

(No Model.)

ITL-sl.

WTNESSaS:

Patented (1ct. 29, |901. l. BLDUNT.

D003 CHECK.

l (Application med sept. 21, 189e.)

No.l 685,708.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

@lo Model.)

llllmmllm TH: cams PETERS co. moTLn'Ho. WASHINGTON. 0,0.

No. 685,708. Patented Oct. 29, |9019 E. I. BLUNT.

D003 CHECK.

(Application lad Sept. 21, 1898.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model-J No. 685,708. Patented oct. 29, |901. E. l. BLUUNT.

D008 CHECK.

(App'lieation mea sept. 21, 1896.) y (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

j j@ a Y WTNSEE: u \\\& l' IE5-VDR:

M 2f/WMW-- a;

NITED -vSTATES EUGENE I. BLOUNT, ornvnanrr, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR oron PATENT f Ferca".

TO THEOPHILUS KING, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

DOOR-CHECK.

SPECIFICATION forming 103.14'. 0f LeteTS Patient N0. 685,708,1datedOctober 29, i901..

Application filed September 21, 1896. Serial No. 606,533. (No model.) 'Ii To tZZ whom, t may concern.-

4 Be it known that L'EUGENE I. BLoUNT, of Everett, in the county ofMiddlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Door-Checks, of

which the following is a specilication.

This invention has for vits object the production of a novel door-check;and it consists in the novel features of construction and relalo tivearrangement of parts hereinafter fully described in the specification,clearly illustrated in the drawings, and particularly pointed out in theclaims. l

Reference is to be had to the accompanying four sheets of drawings,forming a part of this application, in Which like characters indicatelike parts wherever they occur.

Figure 1 representsafront elevation of my check mounted in position onthe door. Fig. zo 2 represents a top plan View of the same. Fig. 3 is avertical sectional view on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.' Fig. 4 is across-sectional view on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3, taken so as to show themanner of connecting the ends of the spring z 5 and the'V parts to whichthey are attached.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, showing the spring reversed. Fig. 6represents a crosssectional view on theline 6 6 of Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is adetail view of a'portion of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 6, showingthe dog re versed. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view ou the line 8 8 ofFig. 3, taken to show the weights in plan view. Fig. 9 is a bottom planview of the part shown in Fig. 3 with the lower cap removed. Fig.`l0represents in front elevation the operativev parts of the check,spring,and casing shown in section. Fig. 1l represents a View showin(r theweights and their rings, the rings and portion of the casing and 4o capbeing shown in section. Fig. l2 represents a top plan View of the pinionand ring, the arms of the Weights being shown in section. Fig. 13represents a perspective View ofthe pinion kand the parts carriedthereby. Fig. 14 represents a perspective view showing the Weightsmountedin position in the arms carried by the pinion.

tive view of the main arbor or shaft with the collar supporting the dog.Fig. 16 represents 5o a detail viewof means forpreventing the nonweights.

Athrough a sleeve i, arranged in cap e.

Fig. 15 is a perspecy 'surrounding `the sleevev t'.

operative movements of the weights. Fig.

17 is a detailed view of the brake-shoe. Figs.

18 and 19 represent views similar to Fig. 6, showing a different form ofdog and clutch mechanism. Fig. 20 represents a cross-sec- 55 tional viewon line 2O 2O of Fig. lO, showing in plan View a different form offriction and Fig. 2l represents a front elevation thereof, the casingbeing shown in section. Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view on line 6o 2222 of Fig. 20, showing the spring connections for the friction. Fig. 23`is a vi'e'wsimilar to Fig. 20, showing another form of Weight andfriction device. Fig. 2l represents avertcal sectional view thereof online 24E 424: of 65 Fig. 23, showing the construction 0f the pinion andthe manner of connecting theweights therewith. Fig. 25 is across-sectional' \fie\v on line 25 25 of Fig.'23, showing theconstruction of the weights and frictions andthe man- 7o ner ofconnecting the Weights together.

f Referring to the drawings, inthe embodiment rof my invention thereinshown and'selected by me for the purpose ofillustrating my invention ctrepresents a casing comprising a spring barrel-chamber b, vclosed by acap @,Vpressed on said casing, and a cylindrical box or vchamber c,having an extension d5, both designed to contain gearing and the partsoperated thereby. Thevopen end of the 8o chamber c is closed bya cap f,screw-threaded thereon, as shown, the several partsv of the casing asdescribed being further clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 10. The casiuglissecured to the door by means ofscrews if, passing through brackets u,extending out therefrom` g represents a shaft or arbor arrangedin saidcasing,its lower end arranged in an `opening f, formed in an extensionf2 of the 9o capf. The upper end of the shaft passes This sleeve isformed at its upper end with a AratChetWheelj, the latter having anannular groove k, constructed to receive a complef mentalange Z on thetop of the plate e and The portion of the shaft g that projects beyondthe sleeve t' is reduced, as shown in Figs. 3,10, and 15, to enter anelongated slot in loo `the sleeve 'L'.

a web g2, extending from the casing.

the end of the lever m. The free end of this lever is connected to astationary bracket 'n on the door-frame by a link consisting of athreaded rod fn', fitted in said bracket and having its opposite endthreaded into a turnbuckle m. This buckle is split at its upper end tohold between its split portion a spherical head m2 of a pin projectingfrom the free end of the lever m. The split portions m3 of theturnbuckle are clamped together by a screw m4. The turnbuekle may beremoved from the pin m2 and may be adjusted along the rod lnineitherdirection by loosening the screw/m4, after which it may be againclamped to the pin m2 by tightening said screw.

In the chamber b of the casing I place a spiral spring U of any desireddegree of strength. The outer end tu of this spring is bent, as shown inFigs. 4t and 5, to engage a portion of the edge of'the casing, which isapertured for this purpose, the inner end of the spring being bent andinserted in a slot't'l of A dog w is pivoted upon the under side of thelever m, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, and arranged to engage theteeth of the ratchet-wheel j. The parts are so constructed and arrangedthat the dog engages the teeth of the ratchet-wheel when the door isbeing opened, causing the rotation of the sleeve rand the winding up ofthe spring v The power stored up by the spring by the opening of thedoor acts upon the sleeve and the parts operated thereby to close thedoor. If the spring were left to its independent action, it would causethe door to close with a slam. To prevent this and to cause the door toclose as slowly and noiselessly as desired, I employ self-regulatingcontrolling or checking devices, which I will now proceed to describe.

On the shaft gis rigidly secured a collar y, having a socket y toreceive the circular end z' of a dog z, the outer end of which may beserrated, as in Figs. (i and 7, at z2 to engage the internal teeth d ofthe wheel d, that is loosely mounted upon the shaft g and formed withexternal teeth d2. The wheel d is supported by an interrupted ring so',secured to the internal walls of the easing and extending partiallyaround the same. The shaft g is supported by a collar g", preferablyintegral with (See Fig. 15.) The dog .z is normally held in engagementwith the internal teeth d by means of a spring z3 and is so arrangedthat when the shaft is rotated in one direction the dog will sliderelatively with the wheel d; but when the pressure or power stored up inthe spring fu causes the shaft to rotate in the op# posite direction thedog z, in the form shown in Figs. 6 and 7, will engage the rack-teeth dof the ratchet-wheel and rotate it.

The external teeth d2 of the wheel d mesh.

with the pinion d3, fast on the shaft d4, journaled in the extension d5.A gear d, also fast on the shaft d4 and arranged under the wheel d,meshes with the teeth (Z7 ot' the pinsesgos ion-sleeve d8, looselymounted on the shaft g' and arranged to slide thereon. (See Figs. 3, 10,11, 13, and 14;.)

The pinion-sleeve d8 is formed at its lower end with radial arms d,carrying at their outer ends a ring (Zw, which is approximately equal indiameter to the interior of the lower chamber c of the casing. In theends of the arms C19 are formed apertures d to receive arms (E12,connected to and carrying governorweights du. (See Figs. 3, 8, 9, 10,11, 12, 13, 14, and 17.) Three of these Weights are shown; but thenumber can be varied as desired. Each Weight in the forni shown in thefigures referred to is sector-shaped in horizontal section, and thethree weights employed form a circle in plan View, as illustrated inFig. 8. The pinion-sleeve rests upon and is supported by an annular ringf4, forming a continuation of the walls of the openingf in the extensionf2. (See Figs. 3 to 21.) This pinionsleeve at its lower end may beformed as shown in Fig. 11, or itmay be cored out, as shown in Fig. 24,this cored-out or recessed portion d being arranged to surround the ringf4, the top of the ring engaging the step (Z22, of leatheroid or othersuitable material.

The arm C112 of each weight is pivoted bya pin (115 in the apertures du.Each arm d carries a finger dm, adapted to engage a friction-ring o,arranged in the bottom of the chamber c of the casing, when the weightsare thrown out, as hereinafter described. The ends of the fingers d1extend into the space between the friction-ring r and the ring d10. (SeeFig. 11.)

1" is a friction-ring arranged above the ring d10 and separatedtherefrom by a washer r2. The ring r is prevented from moving away fromthe ring (ZIO by a lip c on the interior wall of the casing. (See Figs.3 and 1] The pivots d of the arms C112 are so positioned that the latterand their Weights d, when the mechanism is stationary, tilt forwardagainst the pinionsleeve d8, as illustrated in Fig. 11. When, however,the shaft is operated by the spring and the pinion (Z3 and pinion-sleeved8 are being rotated, the weights d will be thrown out by centrifugalforce, and the lower face of the finger f7.1 and the upper surface ofthe ring d10 will separate, so as to bring said parts respectively inengagement with the friction-ring r and the washer r2, which willcontrol the movement of the pinion-sleeve d8, checking the rapidity ofits rotation and causing it and the parts connected therewith to moveslowly at any predetermined speed, depending upon the position and powerof the governor-weights d selected.

r3 is a washer arranged between the cap portionfof the easing and thefriction-ring r. The washers r2 r3 may be formed of rubber, leather, orany composition that is desirable, and if it is found to be necessarythe ring 7- may be connected to the ring (Zw, so as to turn therewith,provisions being made, however, to move one ring relatively to theother. The pin- IOO IIS

ion-sleevedisslightlyelongated,so thatitmay have a limited slidingmovement, heretofore referred to, relatively to its driving-gear d6.

The mechanism is so constructed that it may be employed with the dooropening in either direction. In Figs. 4. and 6 I have shown the spring cand the dog z as being arranged for the checking of the door, which isopened in one direction, and in Figs. 5 and 7 I have shown these partsas being reversed for operating a door opening in the oppositedirection. The dog w, which coperates with the ratchet j, isdouble-headed, so that it too may operate in either direction. Inpractice the dogs and s, as well as" the spring e, should be eachstamped with the symbols R and L, indicating right and left,respectively, or some other character of similar import, so that whenthe mechanism is vput together, if it is desired to operate the dooropening to the right, then these parts `should be placed in a case withtheir sides bearing the inscription R facing up,'or vice versa.

For the purpose of keeping the mechanism well oiled, in the cap f isformed an oil-well f3 below the shaft g, the latter being formed with anaxial aperture g3, connected by radial apertures g4, leading to thesurface of the shaft at various points, to conduct the oil led upthrough the shaft' by the wick g5 to the 'points that it is desirableshould be kept oiled. By means ofthese oil-ducts the mov# able parts arekept well oiled, so as to move noiselessly and with minimum resistance.

d1s represents a coiled spring arranged in an aperture C119 of the armsd and bearing against the side of the arm d.

d20 represents a screw arranged in the aperture d1, adapted to pressagainst the spring dlg, regulating the force with which said springshall bear against the arms el. The pressure of the spring upon the armsof the weights is such as to allowthe Weights to move to operate thefriction, but is sufficient to hold said weights against inoperativemovements or vibrations that might cause rattling. The spring d shouldbe placed as near as possible to the pivot-pin CX15, so as to interferebut slightly with the proper movements of the weights.

The operation of the parts just described is as follows Assuming thedoor to be closed, as shown in full lines in Fig. 2, the opening of thesame will be accompanied by the following movements: The leverm,turnbuckle m, and rod n', through the medium of the dog andratchet-wheelj, will cause a rotation of the sleeve t' and a consequentwidening up of the spring c. The, shaft g is rotated with the sleeve;but the dog a, carried thereby, rides easily over the internal teeth dof the wheel cl until the door is opened to the desired extent. As soonas the door is released it is free to swing to its closed position, thespring by virtue of the power stored up in the opening of the doorbegins to unwind and in doing so 'reverses the operations abovedescribed, rotating the shaft g and causing the door to move to a'closedposition. tion of the shaft g by the spring causes the dog z to firmlyengage the internal teeth of the ratchet-wheel d, which, through themedium of the connecting gearing, rapidly rotates the pinion-sleeve d8and its ring d10.

thrown outward by centrifugal action, forcing the frictional membersinto engagement with each other, which checks the movement 8o .of thedoor and causes it to close slowly with out jarring or slamming. If thedoor tendsv to swing too rapidly, the action of the weights is toincrease the friction and check the door.

In all cases the actionof the weights causes,

sufficient friction to control the door and prevent its moving except ata predetermined speed. The more rapidly the door tends to swing to itsclosed position the greater will be the force with which thegovernor-Weights 9o are thrown outward and the greater will be thefriction produced to check the door. It follows, therefore, that by myinvention the amount of resistance to be offered to the action of thedoor is automatically regulated,

requiring no adjustment for different sizes or weights of the doors.

In Figs. 1S to 25 are illustrated another means for connecting the dog zto the wheelJ CZ, and also another form of governor-weights 16o andfriction devices.

Referring to Figs. 1S and 19, it will beseen l that the internal teethof the wheel d are dis# pensed with, and in place of said teeth and theserrations on the dog z I employ a divided door, the collar y engagesthe dog on the side r x5 opposite to the depression e, causing the 'unbeveled side of the dog to engage the end sV of the ring. This movementcauses the dog to assume a radial position, resulting in the turning ofthe ring in its seat without caus- 12o ing sufficient friction betweenthe ring and the flange z5 to clutch said parts together. When, however,the shaft g is rotated by means of the spring, the collar y carries oneside of the pawl a' into engagement With' the 125 end al of the ring,the further movement of the collar y causing the pawl z to turn in itsbearings to the position shown in Fig. 19, the

depression Z9 permitting this movement. In this position of the pawl athe further move- K 13o l yment of the collar'y causes the pawl to actas a lever to spread the ring to clamp the ring and wheel d together,thus causing said wheel to move with the shaft g, as in Fig. 6.

The rota- 7c This 75 movement of the ring and pinion-sleeve causes thegovernor or controlling weights d to be One end of the dog is beveled, r1o Referring to Figs. 20, 21, and 22, the sleevepinion (Z3 instead ofthe arms d is formed with two laterally-projecting flanges dm. 'Io eachof these iianges is pivoted a governorweight d, adapted by the rotationof the shaft g to be t-hrown outward in the direction of the arrows.C143 represents brake-shoes, each pivoted to one of the flanges clio andcarrying a friction-pad el, adapted to engage the wall of the casing.Springs d normally hold the shoes, with their pads, ont of engagementwith the wall of the casing. Parts d, carried by the shoes, are arrangedin a position to be engaged by the governor-weights du. If now the doorbe open and left to be closed by the action of the spring e, thegovernor-weights will cause the friction devices or shoes dfi, withtheir pads, to be thrown outward, the latter engaging the wall of thecasing to check the action of the door when the latter moves beyond thepredetermined speed. Springs d, engaging the governorweights at apivotal point, serve to check any rattling movement of the weights, asin the case of the springs CX18 in Fig. 16.

In Figs. 23, 24, and 25 the governor-weights d50 are pivoted to a flangedi on the sleevepinion d8, so that they will move in opposite directionson their pivotal points instead of being arranged as in Fig. 20, wherethey move in the same directiorn A spring dz serves to draw thegovernor-weights toward the pinion-sleeve d8 and the brake-shoe C53 outof engagement with the wall of the casing when the pinion is notrotating or when it is rotating at a predetermined speed. In the formshown in Figs. 23, 24, and 25 the rotation of the pinion-sleeve CZ@causes the governorweights to move outward in the direction of thearrow. Vhen this rotation is beyond a pre'- determined speed, thegovernor-weights will be thrown out with sufficient force to cause theirbrake-slices to engage the wall of the casing or some other complementalfriction part, checking the action of the spring and door,asintheothercases. Byhavingthegovernor-weights arranged as in Fig. 23 Iam enabled to dispense with the parts for preventing rattling. Supposethe parts to be arranged as in Fig. 23 and the pinion-sleeve (Z8 turningin the direction opposite to the hands of a watch, as in Fig. 19. Toclose the door, the brake-shoes CFS will engage the walls of the casing,but in a different manner. The casing or complemental part engaging thebrake-shoe at the right tends to force said brake-shoe inwardly, whilethe casingor complemental friction part engaging the brakeshoe at theleft operates as a drag on said shoe and tends to force said shoeoutward, thus aiding the action of the governor-weights. Thisarrangement here shown is especially advantageous. It provides for thearrangement of the shoes that act alike, whether the door opens to theright or to the left. The

construction is simple, permitting the parts to be made of roughcastings, thus eliminating the cost of finishing', ttc. The position ofthe pivots above the weights d50 in Fig. 23 may be varied as desired.The nearer they are placed toward the pinion-sleeve ZS the greater willbe the resistance produced by the drag between the friction-pad and thewall of the casing or the more Will the force of the governor-weights beaugmented.

It will be observed that in all cases the governor-Weights automaticallyregulate the resistance offered to the driving action of the spring forthe closing of the door and increasing said resistance in directproportion as the speed of the door increases, thereby causing the doorto close with an easy steadyT movement.

Various modifications of my invention may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope thereof, which comprises an automatic mechanicaldoor-check in which the parts are so arranged that they automaticallyregulate the resistance offered to oppose the closing movement of thedoor.

Having now explained the nature of my invvention and described a way ofconstructing and using the same, though without attempting to set forthall of the forms in which it may be made or all of the modes of its use,what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

VSc

l. A door-check comprising a spring, a shaft operated thereby, acentrifugal regulating device, and a reversible connection between saidshaft and said device.

2. A door-check comprising a shaft,a spring, arranged to rotate saidshaft in one direction, governor weights mounted concentrically onsaidshaft but loose relative thereto, and means for intermittentlyconnecting the shaft with said weights, in combination with frictiondevices operated by said weights.

3. A door -check comprising a casing, a spring, a shaft adapted to bedriven by said spring, mechanical friction devices, means for connectingsaid devices with the shaft when the door is being closed, and means forpreventing the rattling of said devices.

4. A door-check comprisingashaft, aspring arranged to operate thelatter, a resistance, centrifugal means for operating said resistance,and a reversible dog interposed between said means and said shaft.

5. A door-check comprising a shaft, a reversible spring arranged tooperate the latter, a resistance, centrifugal devices arranged tooperate said resistance, connections between said shaft and devicescomprising a reversible intermittently-acting means.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses, this 21st day of August, A. D.1896.

EUGENE I. BLOUNT.

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